Prayer Focus

Heart Guide for Lesson 23:
Spiritual Warfare 101

Perhaps this is as good a time as any to enlist in this God's army (if you haven't already done so). By nature most of us would rather be farmers, or wine tasters, or minstrels ONLY. Few desire to fight the battles that spiritual warfare requires!

Whether we want it or not—if we desire our freedom—we will have to learn to fight determinedly and often. Like those who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah, we will have to learn to do the work of the Kingdom with our sword and shield at our side.

Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. Nehemiah 4:17-18

Consider offering this prayer:

Father, You know that part of me would prefer not to have to fight these battles of the spiritual life. Whenever it is possible take this cup from me. Nevertheless, may Your will be done. I ask for every grace that You supply - especially courage and patient perseverance! Thank You for all of the ways that You are training my hands and my heart for those conflicts with the enemy that cannot be avoided. May I ever trust that You are also fighting with me and for me. I fully accept this calling upon my life - to fight the good fight of faith - and I realize that the first battle is always for my own heart - to keep it surrendered to You. Make me willing to be made willing to surrender everything to You, each and every day.

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